Mediation of superior-subordinate relationship and a climate of innovation on psychological empowerment

Author(s):  
Sumi Jha

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to establish the relationship between psychological empowerment (PE) and four variables: autonomy, openness, superior-subordinate relationship (SSR), and climate of innovation (CI). The paper also aims to establish the mediating effects of SSR and CI on PE. Design/methodology/approach The sample size for the study was 319 employees (197 managers and 122 team leaders) from ten leading information and communication technology companies of India. Structural equation modelling was used to test the model under study. Bootstrapping was applied to provide better estimation of the sample. Findings The exogenous variables under study were autonomy and openness. The mediating variables were SSR and CI. Results supported the model and indicated a significant direct effect between exogenous variables and PE. The role of SSR and CI as mediator was also ascertained. Practical implications The paper highlights that the managers of service organisations should take initiatives to provide a conducive climate for innovation. Having the right climate for innovation and support from superiors will make employees feel psychologically empowered. Originality/value Although as researchers and as practitioners the authors understand the importance of innovation climate and role of superior, few studies have sought to explain the mediating effects of SSR and CI.

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manjari Singh ◽  
Anita Sarkar

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the relationship between the empowering structure and the employees’ innovative behavior and the role of psychological empowerment in mediating this link. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data from 401 female primary school teachers in India. Prior to the main study, the scales were tested on a sample of 288 teachers. While psychological empowerment and structural empowerment were based on the self-reporting by the teachers, the innovative behavior of the teacher was assessed by two to three colleagues for each teacher. Findings The results confirmed that structural empowerment leads to innovative behavior and psychological empowerment and partially mediates the relationship between structural empowerment and innovative behavior. Practical implications Promising ideas die down because of lack of proper resource support and a free flow of information exchange despite employees’ willingness to carry out innovative tasks. Psychological empowerment affects creative intention in the workplace and can play a critical role for employees at their workplace. Social implications In the context of development at the teacher and school levels, it is imperative to address both the psyche of the individual and the existing structure in schools. Originality/value This study makes two critical contributions. One, it emphasizes the importance of structural empowerment in ensuring innovative behavior of employees. Two, it also brings forward the importance of psychological empowerment in the relationship between structural empowerment and innovative behavior.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Amoako ◽  
Zhang Huai Sheng ◽  
Courage Simon Kofi Dogbe ◽  
Wisdom Wise Kwabla Pomegbe

PurposeThe paper investigates the mediation role of external integration in the relationship between internal integration and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) performance. Information and communication technology (ICT) was used to moderate the relationship between internal and external, and external integration and SMEs performance.Design/methodology/approachCross sectional method was used to distribute questionnaires to owners of SMEs in Abossey Okai business enclave to assess the various dimensions in the study. Structural equation modeling was employed to assess the relationship among the dimensions, based on 163 validated questionnaires. Analysis of Moment Structures (Amos) and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) were used in analyzing the data.FindingsThe results indicate that, external integration mediated the relationship between internal integration and SMEs performance. In addition, ICT had positive moderating effect in the relationship between internal and external integration, and external integration and SMEs performance.Practical implicationsPractically, this research informs owners and managers of SMEs to appreciate the importance of developing internal structures of a firm and further linking their operations with external partners. Additionally, findings will aid managers’ and owners’ leverage on ICT capabilities to enhance performance in their operations.Originality/valueEngaging external integration to mediate the relationship between internal integration and SMEs performance and extending the relationship to include moderating role of ICT in both relationship that is internal and external integration on one side, and external and firm performance, the current study contributes to supply chain integration (SCI) and ICT available literature.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 616-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiwat Ram ◽  
Ming-Lu Wu

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possible mediating role of switching cost (SC) in influencing customer loyalty (CL). Design/methodology/approach The authors derive a model containing the relationships between customer satisfaction (CS), brand image (BI), and CL through mediating effects of SC. Data collected from 200 subscribers of China Mobile was analysed using structural equation modelling technique. Findings The authors find that SC does not mediate the relationship between CS and CL, nor that between BI and CL. While both CS and BI have a direct and positive relationship with CL, only CS is positively associated with the SC. SC in itself has no direct relationship with CL, necessitating further understanding of its role. Research limitations/implications Prior findings have suggested the mediating role of SC, this study, however, show that SC does not have any mediating role in influencing CL. In fact, the direct role of SC is also questioned, as the authors do not find any direct relationship between SC and CL. Practical implications While managers should retain a balanced strategy for implementing SC, developing a strong BI and achieving CS is more important, and could help avoid any negative implications that may ensue from the implementation of SC. Originality/value This paper offers empirical evidence of the importance of SC – or rather lack of it – in enhancing CL. It also helps explain how SC interacts with CS and BI.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tapas Bantha ◽  
Umakanta Nayak

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to examine the relationship between workplace spirituality and employees’ innovative work behaviour and also to check the mediating role of psychological empowerment on this relationship from the lens of self-determination theory (SDT). Design/methodology/approach An internet-based survey was conducted among knowledge workers, i.e. 340 employees (software engineers and product developers) working in different US-based multi-national companies operating in India. The relationships are tested by using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and, for mediation, Preacher and Hayes (2008) procedure has been used. Findings The PLS-SEM and Preacher and Hayes (2008) mediation results revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between workplace spirituality and employees’ innovative work behaviour. There is also a substantial effect of workplace spirituality on psychological empowerment and psychological empowerment on employees’ innovative work behaviour. Psychological empowerment is found to be mediating fully between workplace spirituality and employees’ innovative work behaviour. Practical implications In the context of organizations, it will be really beneficial to enhance employees’ innovative work behaviour through inculcating workplace spirituality. Promoting workplace spirituality is one of the prerequisites in organizations towards creating sustainability and establishing an empowered organization in this competitive business environment. Originality/value There is a dearth of studies in linking the relationship between workplace spirituality and employees’ innovative work behaviour with the mediating role of psychological empowerment from the lens of SDT.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Inayat Ullah ◽  
Rakesh Narain

Purpose The importance of supply network flexibility (SNF) in the development of mass customization capability (MCC) has been implied in the literature but seldom subjected to empirical investigation. To fill the gap and contribute to MC literature, this paper aims to examine the role of SNF in facilitating the development of MCC of organizations. Furthermore, it has been investigated whether the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) strengthens the above relationship. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the supply chain literature and dynamic capability theory, the study proposes a research framework depicting the interconnectedness among the variables of interest. The proposed framework has been tested using structural equation modelling based on partial least squares by using the data collected from a questionnaire-based survey of a sample of Indian manufacturing organizations. Findings The findings indicate that the dimensions of SNF, namely, sourcing flexibility and supplier flexibility, positively affect the MCC of the organizations and the strength of these relationships is further amplified by the implementation of ICTs. Practical implications The study shows the managerial opportunities for the development of a flexible and competent supply network to facilitate the development or enhancement of MCC. Originality/value This study contributes to scant literature by providing empirical evidence for the relationship between SNF and MCC. Further, this study enriches the understanding of the crucial role of ICT by exploring its moderating effect on the relationship between the variables of interest.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 693-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Javier Ramirez ◽  
Gloria Parra-Requena ◽  
Maria J. Ruiz-Ortega ◽  
Pedro M. Garcia-Villaverde

Purpose This paper aims to further understand how firms transform external information into marketing innovation. The specific aim is to analyse the mediating role of product innovation and organizational innovation in the relationship between external information and marketing innovation. Design/methodology/approach The study builds on the 2012 database Technological Innovation Panel (PITEC) with a sample of 994 manufacturing firms. The data are analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings The results show how external information obtained about relationships with suppliers, customers and competitors leads to marketing innovation. The study demonstrates the mediating effects of product innovation and organizational innovation on the relationship between external information and marketing innovation. Practical implications Firms should utilize external information flows to innovate in both their products and organization as a prerequisite to marketing innovation. Originality/value This paper provides linkages between perspectives of networks, innovation and marketing to better understand the background of the least studied dimension of innovation – marketing innovation. The main contribution is to explain how firms use external information to achieve marketing innovation through product and organizational innovation.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Asim Rafique ◽  
Yumei Hou ◽  
Muhammad Adnan Zahid Chudhery ◽  
Nida Gull ◽  
Syed Jameel Ahmed

PurposeInnovations are imperative for organizational growth and sustainability. This study focuses on the employees' innovative behavior, a source of organizational innovations, which has received substantial attention from the researchers. Based on the psychological empowerment theory, the study exposes the effect of the various dimensions of public service motivation (PSM) on employees' innovative behavior (IB) in public sector institutions especially in the context of developing countries such as Pakistan. Moreover, the study also investigates the mediating role of psychological empowerment (PSE) between the dimensions of PSM and IB.Design/methodology/approachThis study used the cross-sectional research design. By using random sampling, the adapted survey questionnaires were used to collect data from 346 faculty members of public sector universities located in provincial capitals of Pakistan. A partial least square–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) tool was used to assess the proposed hypotheses through SMART-PLS software.FindingsResults revealed that attraction to policymaking (APM), compassion (COM), self-sacrifice (SS) have a significant impact on employees' PSE and their innovative behavior, while the relationship of commitment to the public interest (CPI) with PSE and IB was found insignificant. Moreover, PSE partially mediated the relationship between PSM dimensions and employees' IB.Originality/valueThere was a scarcity of research on IB especially in public sector institutions such as academia. This study theoretically contributed to the literature by providing a refined picture in assessing the proposed relationship of the constructs. This is also one of the original studies that examine the relationship between the dimensions of PSM and IB.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gladys Esinu Abiew ◽  
Eugene Okyere-Kwakye ◽  
Florence Yaa Akyia Ellis

Purpose Underpinned by the information processing theory, this study aims to investigate the relationship between functional diversity and team innovation by examining the moderating role of some selected cultural dimensions (power distance, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity-femininity) in the relationship between functional diversity and innovation. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research method was used using a structured questionnaire as a tool to collect data from 251 respondents drawn from research institutions in Ghana. Data was analysed using simple regression and hierarchical multiple regression. In addition, a structural equation model was used to conduct confirmatory factor analyses to examine whether the variables in the hypothesized model for the study captured distinct constructs that the variables were designed to measure. Findings The study revealed that functional diversity was positively related to team innovation. The study also found that functionally diverse groups are more innovative when they exhibit low uncertainty avoidance, femininity and low power distance. Practical implications These findings suggest that practices such as team communication, honesty, respect and trust would foster team unity and commitment, which would enable members to share diverse expertise towards the creation and execution of new ideas and improvement of productivity in the country. Originality/value The study examined the relationship between functional diversity and team innovation by examining the moderating role of some selected cultural dimensions (power distance, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity-femininity) in the relationship between functional diversity and innovation.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anwar Sadat Shimul ◽  
Matthew Barber ◽  
Mohammad Ishmam Abedin

Purpose This paper aims to examine the role of religiosity on consumers’ forgiveness when celebrities get involved in transgression. The celebrity’s reaction and its impact on consumers’ forgiveness is tested as well. In addition, consumers’ attitudes towards the brand and celebrity as well as purchase intention for the endorsed brand are examined both before and after the transgression. Design/methodology/approach Data (n = 356) were collected through a self-administered online survey and analysed though structural equation modelling in AMOS 26. Findings The results show that consumers’ attitude towards celebrity, brand and purchase intention gets weaker once the celebrity gets into transgression. Consumers tend to forgive more if the celebrity apologises (vs denies) for the wrongdoing. The hypothesised relationship between attitude towards celebrity and purchase intention did not sustain after the transgression. In addition, consumers’ intrinsic religiosity strengthens the relationship between attitude towards the celebrity and purchase intention. Practical implications The findings of this research present valuable implications for brands practitioners. Brands should formulate actionable contingency plans to mitigate the negative ramifications of celebrity transgressions. Specifically, intrinsic religiosity and celebrity apologies should assist consumers in forgiving the transgression and negate the implications that could have arisen if the celebrity instead denied the transgressions. Originality/value This research extends the previous research by examining religiosity and forgiveness within the context of celebrity transgressions. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first few research studies to consider the role religiosity plays in consumers’ intention to forgive celebrity transgressions.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghna Goswami

Purpose This study aims to investigate the influence of social intelligence and collective efficacy on the fearlessness of change. Furthermore, this study investigates the mediation effect of collective efficacy and moderating role of management commitment to change in the relationship between social intelligence and fearlessness of change. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on data collected from 296 members of information technology and Banking Financial Services Industry organisations using a survey questionnaire. Hypotheses have been tested using structural equation modelling. Findings The findings show that social intelligence and collective efficacy positively influence fearlessness of change. Social intelligence also impacts collective efficacy positively. Further, collective efficacy acts as a mediator and management commitment to change acts as a moderator in the relationship between social intelligence and fearlessness of change. Research limitations/implications This study highlights the relevance of social intelligence in fostering a fearless attitude towards change for easy transition from the current organisational state to a new or desired state. Practical implications Organisational leaders must strive to develop a climate of fearlessness in organisations undergoing change so that the employees acquire this attitude of fearlessness and face the hurdles that come with change with a positive mind set. Originality/value This study is amongst the few such studies that examined the relationship amongst variables of this study.


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